When Massage Goes Badly
People think of massage therapy as a safe therapy, and of course it mostly is. But things can go wrong. Serious side effects in massage therapy are rare, however, and common side effects are minor. A 2007 survey of 100 massage patients found that 10% of 100 patients receiving massage therapy reported some minor discomfort in the day following treatment. This would mainly be a familiar slight soreness that is common after a massage Im surprised only 10% reported it. The massage must have been quite gentle.
Interestingly, 23% reported unexpected benefits that had nothing to do with aches or pains.
But serious injury is also possible, and for every dramatic case there are probably many minor versions of it that are never diagnosed or described in a scientific journal. For instance, in 2019, a man tore a five centimetre hole in his colon doing hard self-massage of his abdomen for constipation, and he could easily have died from that. Obviously thats an exotically extreme case, but the implications worry me. How many people have had one-centimetre holes torn in their colons? Half centimetre? Or just severe bruising? While not life-threatening, such injuries are the opposite of helpful and in addition to injury, they would also ironically increase constipation! Because the intestines stop contracting when traumatized, to protect themselves .
Another article covers this subject in more detail:
GO TO
Responsibilities For Massage Therapist
- Evaluate clients’ soft tissue condition, joint quality and function, muscle strength, and range of motion
- Develop and propose client treatment plans that specify which types of massage are to be used
- Consult with clients about their medical histories and any problems with stress and/or pain in order to determine whether massage would be helpful
- Massage and knead the muscles and soft tissues of the human body in order to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries or wellness maintenance
- Prepare and blend oils, and apply the blends to clients’ skin
- Discuss with other health care professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists in order to develop treatment plans for clients
- Maintain detailed and accurate treatment records of clients
- Attend and participate in meetings and training sessions
What Does A Massage Therapist Do
A massage therapist assesses and treats the soft tissues and joints of the body in order to improve circulation, treat pain from injuries, and maintain good health. This manual type of therapy includes manipulating and applying pressure to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia.
Massage therapists typically do the following:
- Talk with clients about symptoms, medical history, and desired results
- Evaluate clients to locate painful or tense areas of the body
- Manipulate muscles or other soft tissues of the body
- Provide clients with guidance on how to improve posture, stretching, strengthening, and overall relaxation
Massage therapists use their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, and sometimes feet to knead muscles and soft tissue of the body in order to treat injuries and to promote general wellness. A massage can be as short as fifteen minutes or could last for more than an hour.
Massage therapists may use lotions and oils, massage tables or chairs, and medical heat lamps when treating a client. They may offer clients information about additional relaxation techniques or exercises to practice between sessions.
Massage therapists can specialize in many different types of massage, called modalities. Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, and sports massage are just a few examples of modalities. Most massage therapists specialize in several modalities, which require different techniques.
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Top Rated And Most Affordable Massage Therapy In Ontario Canada
At Massage Therapist of Richmond Hill, we provide top-rated massage therapy at both affordable and premium rates. We offer a wide variety of solutions to suit your needs, from therapeutic massages, deep tissue massages, relaxation massages, sports massage treatments, and more. The only cost will be your time, which we know can sometimes feel like a commodity thats too precious not to use well. If youre looking for an experienced massage therapist who provides exceptional care without breaking the bank, then schedule an appointment today. Contact us and discuss your needs and learn more about the benefits of Massage Therapy!
Education Training & Certification
Massage therapists are required to be licensed in most states and must complete a post-secondary program of 500 or more hours. You should expect to spend a year or two in training in order to meet your states minimum requirements.
- Education: In most states, you need a high school diploma in order to begin training and complete licensing requirements to become a massage therapist. If you do not have a high school diploma, a GED will typically be sufficient.
- Certification: All massage therapists must pass the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination or a state equivalent in order to acquire a license to practice. The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards regulates the industry for all practicing massage therapists.
- Training: Many trade schools, colleges, and universities offer massage therapy programs. These programs usually require 500 – 1,000 hours of training in preparation for the MBLEx.
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Where Can Working As A Massage Therapist Take You
Youve attained the training, now its time to put your new massage skills to use and pay off that massage school tuition bill that just arrived in the mail.
Massage therapists are employed in a wide range of work environments that include spas, resorts, gyms, medical offices, and private practice. However, given the part-time nature of the job, 19% of massage therapists reported working in more than one practice arrangement, according to the AMTA.
Here are some of the most common workenvironments for massage therapists:
Spas
In 2021, 34% of massage consumers received a massage at a spa, per the AMTA research. This means that working in a spa gives you access to one of the largest pools of massage clients, so youre more likely to stay busy in one of these settings.
Working in a spa can also give you the chance to learn how to provide scrubs, wraps, and other spa services if allowed by your states regulations. Its also likely that youll see repeat clients in these settings. However, youll have little control over your schedule in a spa and, as a result, you may be subject to physically intense days with back-to-back appointments and short breaks between clients.
Healthcare settings
Depending on the type of massage therapy you provide, youll likely need specialized training if you want to practice in a healthcare setting. You can also expect to work collaboratively with physicians and nurses to help patients achieve specific benefits based on their medical conditions.
Are You Suited To Be A Massage Therapist
Massage therapists have distinct personalities. They tend to be social individuals, which means theyre kind, generous, cooperative, patient, caring, helpful, empathetic, tactful, and friendly. They excel at socializing, helping others, and teaching. Some of them are also realistic, meaning theyre independent, stable, persistent, genuine, practical, and thrifty.
Does this sound like you? Take our free career test to find out if massage therapist is one of your top career matches.
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Massage Therapists Typically Do The Following:
Essentially the function of a therapist can be summarized under the following:
- Talk with clients about symptoms, medical history, and preferred results.
- Evaluate clients to discover painful or worrying areas of the body
- Manipulate muscle tissue or different tender tissues of the body
- Provide clients with training on how to enhance posture, stretching, strengthening, and standard relaxation
Massage therapists use their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, and occasionally their feet to massage the muscle tissues and tender tissue of the body to deal with soreness and strains as well as promote wellness. A massage can be as quick as 30 minutes or up to 90 minutes typically.
When treating a client, they use lotions and oils, massage tables or chairs, and calming music.
Massage therapists can specialize in many special kinds of massage, known as modalities. Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, and sports massage are simply a few examples of modalities. Most massage therapists specialize in various modalities, which require specific techniques and training such as the Trager Approach.
Usually, the kind of massage given relies on the client’s desires and areas of concern. For example, therapist might also use a relaxation massage with a light touch versus a deeper massage or sports massage for athletes. Some varieties of massage are specialized for specific clients such as a prenatal massage for a pregnant woman.
Massage Science And Mythology
This awful infographic I noticed making the rounds on Facebook basically claims that massage therapy can do aaaaaanything for peoples health:
The evidence does support massage for anxiety and depression, which is important . Other than that, though, these bullet points range from exaggerated to delusional. The image was inspired by this equally terrible blog post, which uncritically celebrates and exaggerates the conclusions of few dubious sources, boosterism clumsily masquerading as science blogging, and fooling everyone who wants to be fooled which isnt all massage therapists, but certainly a lot of them.
The sad truth is that massage therapy has almost no significant proven medical benefits and is burdened with an embarrassing number of myths and a history of amateurish research. Massage therapists are hardly alone in this: the entire field of musculoskeletal medicine is generally scientifically improverished and lagging well behind most of the rest of evidence-based medicine . For instance, physical therapy, a profession with much higher scientific literacy on average, is also plagued with myths, junky science, and pseudo-quackery.
Medicine has had bigger, scarier fish to fry than treating mere aches and pains and injuries. And it still does. Even sports medicine, with its vast resources, is still surprisingly primitive. By comparison, massage research is a depressing backwater.
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The Credentials Youll Need To Do The Job
Most massage therapy programs award a diploma, certificate, or similar technical degree upon completion, which typically meets the education requirements for state board licensing when its required, though you can pursue an associates or bachelors degree in massage. Some schools take it one step further and achieve an endorsement from a massage school accrediting body, such as the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation .
No matter which type of program you choose, McNeil says it should have a solid focus on anatomy and physiology, especially if you want to focus on modalities that are more medicinal and therapeutic.
With the right training, massage students can position themselves as medical providers and build a reputation within the medical community.
If you live in the District of Columbia or one of the 46 states that regulate massage therapy professionals, youll have to meet your states requirements for licensing. This typically includes completing a minimum number of education hours and passing a national exam like the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination .
Once licensed, you can earn board certification through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork , a designation that indicates youve achieved a level of professional knowledge and expertise beyond basic competencies. You can also prove that youve mastered an area of specialization by earning a certificate in one of boards eight specialty areas of massage.
Education For Massage Therapists
Education requirements for massage therapists vary greatly by state or locality. Education programs are typically found in private or public postsecondary institutions. Most programs require at least 500 hours of study for their completion some programs require 1,000 or more hours.
A high school diploma or equivalent is usually required for admission to a massage therapy program. Programs generally include both classroom study and hands-on practice of massage techniques. Programs cover subjects such as anatomy physiology, which is the study of organs and tissues kinesiology, which is the study of motion and body mechanics pathology, which is the study of disease business management and ethics.
Programs may concentrate on certain modalities, or specialties, of massage. Several programs also offer job placement services and continuing education. Both full-time and part-time programs are available.
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Massage Therapist Duties & Responsibilities
While massage therapy does not require as much training and expertise as other medical professions, it is an important field in healthcare. Muscle tension can be responsible for many injuries, and qualified massage therapists can find where that tension exists and relieve it to prevent more serious injuries. A massage therapists duties include:
- Collaborating with clients on stress and pain in order to create a treatment plan
- Assisting doctors and/or chiropractors in a patients physical therapy or recovery from injury
- Exercising sensitivity to a clients medical history and injuries while using massage to relieve pain and tension
- Coaching clients on proper exercise, stretch, and relaxation techniques
- Properly documenting all treatments
- Maintaining treatment records
- Recognizing health issues that need a referral to another healthcare provider
As a massage therapist, you will work extensively with your hands to locate stress and injuries. Knowing which parts of the muscles to target, as well as the appropriate amount of pressure to place on those parts comes with experience and training.
Where To Work As A Massage Therapist In Florida
Spas: Miami is a popular destination for tourist wanting to unwind and relax, especially during the winter months. As such, it is unsurprising that there are over 220 spas in the Miami-Dade area! This is great news for massage therapists, given that almost every spa employs at least one massage therapist.
As such, working at a spa maybe a good career choice if you consider yourself a people person and have great communication skills. Since spas usually charge a premium for their services, they tend to have a picker clientele than someone who seeks a massage for medical reasons. As such, great customer service skills are needed.
A big benefit of working at a spa is that the pay is often better than in other environments. However, keep in mind that many of these positions, especially those on cruise ships, are seasonal.
Common Massage Modalities Practiced in Spas: Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology
Medical Settings: While massage therapy was once limited to recreational environments and private alternative medicine practices, many Western hospitals, physical therapy clinics, doctors offices now employ massage therapists. This is because there is now plenty of evidence that massage therapy is an effective complimentary practice for many common health issues, such as pain relief and depression.
Massage modalities practiced in medical settings: Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, and Medical Massage.
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Keep These Data Caveats In Mind
When it comes to online sources for massage therapist salaries, Morgan recommends paying attention to factors like the following:
The source of the data. Does the source have bias toward inflated numbers? How is the data collected, and is it scrubbed for outliers that can skew results and make them less accurate?
The method of data collection. How was the data gathered? By students, self-reporting, anonymous survey, HR professionals?
Size of the data set. How many participating organizations and how many people does the data represent? The more organizations participating and professionals represented, the more likely the data can be considered accurate.
Date of the salary data. The marketplace is not static. The date the salary survey information was collected is important. The general labor market is trending upward at 3.1% to 3.2% annually. Thats why data should be aged to present day numbers.
Get The Best Results With Our Massage Therapy Services
We work to provide our clients with the best combination of affordability, service quality, and convenience we offer both daily specials on all types of treatments plus monthly discounts if you sign up for an ongoing series. Our therapists take pride in their work and strive to make sure all customers leave feeling better than they arrived. Our goal is always client satisfactionso if theres anything we need to do better, dont hesitate to let us know! If our clients are happy, then WE ARE HAPPY TOO! Massage Therapist of Richmond Hill can be reached via phone Monday to Friday from 9:00 am 8:00 pm. Hence, appointments are always available when needed!
Massage Therapist of Richmond Hills goal is to help as many people as possible with our services by giving high-quality care. We want you to feel comfortable and at ease when receiving treatment, so we will do everything in our power to make sure that is the case!
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Duties Of Massage Therapists
Massage therapists typically do the following:
- Talk with clients about their symptoms, medical history, and desired results
- Evaluate clients to locate painful or tense areas of the body
- Manipulate muscles and other soft tissues of the body
- Provide clients with guidance on stretching, strengthening, overall relaxation, and how to improve their posture
- Document clients’ conditions and progress
Massage therapists use touch to treat clients’ injuries and to promote the clients’ general wellness. They use their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, and sometimes feet to knead muscles and soft tissues of the body.
Massage therapists may use lotions and oils, and massage tables or chairs, when treating a client. A massage can be as short as 510 minutes or could last more than an hour.
Massage therapists talk with clients about what they hope to achieve through massage. They may suggest personalized treatment plans for their clients, including information about additional relaxation techniques to practice between sessions.
Massage therapists can specialize in many different types of massage or modalities. Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, and sports massage are just a few of the many modalities of massage therapy. Most massage therapists specialize in several modalities, which require different techniques.